The arts in West Virginia reflect the state’s rich Appalachian heritage, creative spirit, and thriving talent. From vibrant galleries and community theaters to renowned music festivals and artisan craft shops, West Virginia offers an endless array of ways to experience authentic Appalachian art and culture. Visitors can explore local studios, enjoy live performances of bluegrass, folk, and contemporary music, and discover handmade pottery, quilts, and woodwork that celebrate traditional craftsmanship.
The Greenbrier Valley Theatre through Feb. 3 will showcase a series of eight 10-minute plays featuring local performers as part of its tenth annual “New Voices” festival.Teaching Artist Lukas Hagley, who is directing and performing in this year’s festival in Lewisburg, West Virginia, says a committee combed through hundreds of submissions and found eight plays … Read more
“Rewriting the hip progressive-bluegrass genre,” Yonder Mountain String Band will perform Saturday, February 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center in Huntington, West Virginia, according to Angela Jones, director of Marketing & External Affairs for the Marshall Artists Series.Presented by the Miller Investment Group at RBC Wealth Management, Yonder Mountain has spearheaded … Read more
Nationally known songwriters Jim Ritchey and Kelly Hunt will host the third annual retreat for songwriters at Twin Falls Resort State Park Nov. 10-12. The workshop is designed for songwriters of all levels but will be particularly helpful for those who already have written and need help perfecting their craft. Participants need not play an instrument, … Read more
Southern West Virginia’s rich history is celebrated annually through winning photographs featured in the 2017 Hidden History photo exhibit now on display in Logan. According to Jodi French-Burr, organizer of the competition, the historically based photographs by West Virginia photographers are on display at the Country Roads Visitor Center in Logan. First displayed at Tamarack, … Read more
The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia is seeking contributions to help support three state historical-development organizations for which funding has been cut or is in decline.Donations, which may be processed online (below), will match funds required to employ AmeriCorps members that support the three organizations, providing each member a modest living allowance during his or … Read more
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park on June 24 will honor pianist Barry Harris and bassist Rufus Reid during the sixteenth annual Don Redman Jazz Heritage Awards & Concert at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.One of the most significant jazz pianists of the late 20th century, Harris made his first recording in 1958. Born and raised in … Read more
It begins with an errant wind on a balmy day. Leaves on trees turn upward, revealing their silvery undersides and a rolling cushion of cloud builds in a darkening sky. Suddenly, a jagged light flashes, and rumbling thunder answers. The show begins. As a storm chaser and photographer, I’m enthralled by lightning! At the hint … Read more
For more than a year after this iconic photograph of the New River Gorge hit social media, West Virginia Explorer editor David Sibray spent countless hours attempting to find its then-unnamed source, Wendy Parks Scott. Scott had published the popular image without a watermark, and the image went viral, so it appeared the editor might never get … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia this week formalizes the adoption of “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” as an official state song, according to a chief proponent for the move.
